It is the quintessential British drink, most of us drink at least two cups of it every day.
But if you decide to enjoy your cup of charcoal with lunch, dinner, or certain snacks, be warned of the little-known health risks.
According to pharmacist and nutritionist Deborah Grayson, drinking tea or coffee with certain foods, such as red meat and leafy greens, can increase your risk of developing serious nutritional deficiencies.
In particular, the chemicals in these hot drinks are known to prevent the body from absorbing iron. Iron is a mineral essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body, which gives us energy and a strong immune system.
People who drink tea with iron-rich foods unknowingly run the risk of iron deficiency
“If you always drink tea with your meal you can become anaemic,” Grayson told The Mirror.
She added that the risk of anemia (severe iron deficiency) is particularly high if you are a woman who menstruates.
Foods that you absolutely should not eat with tea and coffee include iron-rich meals such as steak and roast beef, as well as green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale.
Research has shown that a number of chemicals in tea and coffee can block iron absorption, including polyphenols, which are thought to help fight inflammation.
Polyphenols are found not only in tea and coffee, but also in foods such as fruits, vegetables and herbs, albeit in much lower concentrations.
Red meat is high in iron and research shows that about one-fifth of vegetarians have an iron deficiency.
Tannins, which are also found in wine, as well as Oxalates are also known for their iron-blocking effect.
It is thought that around eight percent of British women and around three percent of men suffer from iron deficiency anaemia.
Symptoms can be debilitating, including extreme exhaustion, hair loss, and repeated infections.
Mrs. Grayson mentioned other ‘meal mistakes’ that can have a detrimental effect on our health.
Deborah Grayson, pharmacist and nutritionist, has shared little-known tips to aid digestion and prevent deficiencies
For example, she advises people with a poor appetite who want to gain weight or muscle mass not to drink too many fluids with their meals.
“The presence of fluid in the stomach can actually reduce the amount of food you can eat,” she says.
‘If you have a poor appetite, it is best to take small sips of water if necessary. This will allow you to eat a normal amount of food.’
Varying the type of salad you eat can help relieve post-meal digestive discomfort.
Ms Grayson says that bitter leaves, like arugula and chicory, ‘stimulate the digestive process and can help prepare the body to fully digest the food we eat’.
Other tips are to eat no later than three hours before bedtime and not to lie down after a meal to prevent reflux symptoms.
Plus, sitting at a table rather than on the couch makes it easier for your digestive system to digest food, says Ms. Grayson, reducing the chance of indigestion.